I know it’s been a while since I composed a post. So I can’t wait to tell you what I’ve been up to. It’s been the holidays of course but right before that Calvin and I went on a wonderful adventure courtesy of Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours.
First let me say we’ve really never thought much about taking a cruise, preferring to have the freedom to choose what we want and explore on our own when we travel to a place we’ve never been before. BUT after this experience which I liken to an exquisitely prepared tasting menu, I would go again if it was an all-inclusive Scenic cruise. This cruise along the Rhine provided us with an introduction to a number of diverse destinations during the course of a single journey. It offered enough of a sense of each place that we could determine whether or not we wanted to return for a more extended stay. Our bookends were Amsterdam and Basel with stops in-between at Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, and Strasbourg. That’s four countries in one trip.
I really liked that this was a river cruise. That meant that the ship was small enough that intimacy could occur between the crew and guests and guests and guests if one so desired. The crew quickly remembered your name and your preferences. What was striking to me was how much they enjoyed each other and liked their work. It was also evident how much Scenic values the people who work for them as there were countless moments where their work was acknowledged by the heads of departments and the cruise director which allowed the guests to express their appreciation for the resulting outstanding level of service as well.
The lounge and the dining area with floor to ceiling windows were conducive to quiet relaxing or stimulating conversations and companionship whichever you preferred. One seemed so close to the scenery as we sailed at a pace where you could really take it in. Even more wonderful was the Scenic app. Downloaded to your phone it was literally your personal guide filled with information about the sights passing by as well as the cities we would be visiting.
Our cabin offered an enclosed balcony perfect for those times you might want privacy or engage in quiet reflection. Our bed was more than comfortable and our butler and housekeeper attended to whatever we needed including having pressed clothes for dinner or bringing coffee before breakfast. If you wanted to address any guilt you felt about taking advantage of the first-class gourmet meals there was also a state of the art fitness center, a wellness center and a heated vitality pool on the top deck. Blessed with good weather despite it being December, we spent a great deal of time outside.
Our fellow guests were well-traveled, had interesting lives and careers and were from all over the world. We had countless fascinating conversations at the dinner table or in the lounge meeting someone new every day. After a few days of getting to know each other, a group of published authors and a film producer had connected and organized an impromptu discussion about writing and screenwriting. Fully facilitated by the crew, it was an unanticipated bonus experience especially for me as I’m focusing on improving my writing right now.
What made this luxury in my estimation was the level of personal choice within the context of a planful itinerary and the providing of the necessary information to make those choices. One of my favorite times was before dinner each day when we gathered in the lounge and our incredibly engaging, wonderful, smart, organized and responsive cruise director Alex and the head of hotel, the head chef and the sommelier would let us know about the meal ahead and the choices we had about food and wine as well as a preview and introduction to the possibilities related to our next port of call. This was often a history lesson as well as a description of what we would be doing and what our options were. I learned so much more about the places and countries we visited than I would have if Calvin and I were traveling alone. Activities were offered at a variety of paces from active to more relaxed. You always had the option of venturing off on your own and if you so desire on an e-bike with a chef-prepared lunch box in hand. By the way one evening we did enjoy an actual 6-course tasting menu with paired wines during an intimate dining experience, Table La Rive.
While many were on this cruise specifically to visit European Christmas markets, our stop in every city offered us the option of connecting with a tour guide who would introduce us to the city generally, show us the markets, take us on tastings of local favorites and point out areas of interest.
The guides had many interesting anecdotes, frequently had a wonderful sense of humor and gave us just enough information. There were also enriched experiences like an evening concert to a palace and a visit to the Mercedes Benz factory
After the tour, we were free to explore on our own which Calvin and I took full advantage of presenting us with countless photo opportunities. We went out during the day and the evening; one night to a magnificent palace where we were treated to a private concert. Another night we had the off itinerary opportunity of going to Strasbourg on our own before the official tour the next day. When discovering so many people wanted to exercise this option our cruise director managed to somehow at such short notice conjure up a coach to transport us rather than having to take individual taxis. The beauty of a fully Christmas decorated city at night was an unanticipated gift. This is a great example of how during the entire cruise whatever you wished for seemed to magically happen.
I was so pampered and so taken care of, I began to worry about returning home to our rather minimalist self-reliant everyday life! Most of all I got to relax, do what I wanted at my pace, spend quality time with Calvin, see and learn many new things which have provided me with a new surge of inspiration and have a very long-delayed vacation.
There were so many memorable moments and so many photos that they just can’t be contained in one blog post. Images I captured and stories I heard will be shared in future posts and on-going ruminations. Ten days of a retreat from everyday life including travel was just right.
Thank you again Scenic for sponsoring this trip for both Calvin and me. Take a virtual tour of my ship by clicking on the link.
On a more personal note, I am especially grateful to Scenic USA for giving me the opportunity to visit Amsterdam for the first time. It’s a personal and special place for me as my grandfather was born there, my great-grandparents created a very special hotel and cafe there (which I got to visit and see portraits of them but that’s a story another day).
I think personal is a great word to end on because the entire experience felt like it was designed especially for me and exactly what I needed at this moment in time.
Have any of you ever been on a river cruise or were pleasantly surprised by trying a travel experience you did not think you might enjoy?
We are off to Liepzig and Dresden, Germany, for a few days city break. Not sure how interesting these will be as they aren’t really high profile European cities. But we’ll see…
Hoping for pretty, historic, inner city areas and plenty of cosy coffee and cake breaks.
this looks like it was wonderful thank you for the detailed information!
You have absolutely captured the Scenic experience! I did the River Seine / Normandy cruise only 2017 and had a wonderful time, along similar lines to yours. I recommend this one to you- so much diversity, but time to do your own thing g and relax!
Awesome experience. Thanks for sharing. Shall add to my bucket list!
Way TO GO! Was thinking about you the other day and am so happy to hear you are thriving and to share news of your travels.
In the 1990’s I spent 10 days hiking and sport fishing (catch and release of marlin and sail) with private guides throughout the interior and both coasts of Costa Rica. The experience was deep immersion into local culture and absolute pure magic. Accommodations were simple but allowed me to interact more with the geography and inhabitants (of all species).
Sometimes travel just makes you more whole. Sounds like this trip hit that mark for you!
Congrats!!!!
I’ve never been on a cruise although a good friend of mine and I talked about cruises a few days ago.
We’ve agreed that it’s something we’ll do a lot of as our kids begin to fly the nest?.
Before we do so, I have my sights set on travelling on The Leyton Orient and also a visit to the Solomon Islands – I’m intrigued by the people.
Glad to read how relaxingly refreshing your cruise was. Thanks for sharing to inspire the likes of me?
Wow wow wow! I want to read this again and to live vicariously through you as this sounds amazingly decadent and relaxing and enjoyable and educational. Hopefully, you were able to relax but your always-curious mind and those tantalizingly fabulous locales likely kept you going at your usual full tilt!
Thank you for sharing your holiday experience so beautifully and eloquently.
My husband and I just got back from 3 weeks of Las Vegas, New York, Barcelona and Madrid, Barcelona being my favourite……but we did NOT relax and this river cruise sounds like it will go to the top of the bucket list.
I really love your mails when they come and look forward to reading about your grandies.
As I approach my 68th birthday (In June, let’s not rush it) your blog, your insights, your forward looking perspective has given me much hope. I went from a Corporate job for 25 years only to quit and care for my mother for 7 years. The hardest job I’ve ever had ..truly. Of course, this left me with a feeling of “who am I now?” and then, my sister-in-law died and I was again a caregiver of sorts. So, that defined me. I feel, reading about your life, your adventures, and things you ponder, that there is hope, life and love to look forward. Age is not a barrier unless you let it be. Stay curious has been my mantra and learn to laugh at just about everything (even politics today) and it will carry you through. Laughter equals release and allows you to move on. I love you clothes and that like me, I haven’t let age stop me from wearing things others may dislike. (Although even I don’t want to see a mini-skirt revival for myself)..but that’s a personal choice. So, thank you for your inspirational blog and the looking forward-ness for 2020.
River cruises rock! A wonderful way to travel. Thanks for sharing your experience. I, too, enjoyed my trip river cruising and recommend everyone try it.
Oh! I am a Canadian with a New Yorker, Professor husband living in Basel (and find great inspiration and enjoyment from your blog!) and I thought I saw you (“no, of course not, not here in Basel, must be someone who looks similar”…) ! So when I saw your post just now, it all made sense. Small world!
I hope you enjoyed your trip -everyone I have spoken to who has been on one, has so many nice things to say about their trip.
With kindest wishes,
Jacqueline
Hello, I follow you on Instagram and am inspired by your style and your willingness to kick conventional fashion to the curb. I see in you a bit of a fellow rebel.
My husband and I also took
a river cruise in France just before Christmas. The cruise was provided by Uniworld boutique cruises and we look forward now to taking another one with them to explore another country. It was a magical time to go of course, with small towns offering up their best holiday fare.
A lovely story! Thank you for sharing this information as my husband and I are thinking of taking a European river cruise.
My husband and I went on a river cruise in 2009 through France. It was by far the best vacation I have ever had. I would just say Ditto to all your comments about the ship, the staff, the attention to detail, the food, and the trips off the ship. The only thing I did not like was the long flights to get there and to return. Other than that, I would do it again. And again, and again.
Yes! My husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in August 2019 by taking a cruise along the Danube from Budapest to Bucharest on an Avalon ship. Like you we had not been river cruising before and absolutely loved every minute. Learned so much about the back stories and communism in the countries we visited(Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia) Our next dream would be a Christmas market cruise.
This trip looks amazing! May I ask how expensive it is? thanks.
This sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I was happy to read your impressions, which – being very new and far from anything you had known – gave you so much pleasure and inspirations. BTW interesting question: to which I have to reply NO. This makes me think that I have been much too conservative in my choices despite having visited over 30 countries!
My husband and I experienced a very similar experience on OUR first river cruise with Viking. Sailing for 10 days from Budapest to Amsterdam, with the same type of luxuries as you, was exquisite. We excursioned in November and enjoyed a bit of the Christmas market/late fall atmosphere. I have no desire to do an ocean cruise and all of its grandiose features.
I completed the same cruise last September. It was amazing.
One big AD. Didn’t bother to read it
That sounds very sarcastic. Wouldn’t you be happy to write honestly about a wonderful trip you got to take with a companion for free? I think there is a lot of valuable information here and it is clearly not just an ad. I was glad to read how our Accidental Icon has managed to get more from her life and that of her companion. Perhaps this is not at all the information you want to read. Most of these articles have what you might refer to as “adverts.” But they are educational, honest descriptions, and stories of the way a person who has had a successful life is choosing to live her life. For me it is inspiration. I am 78, and I could sound like an advert as well, but I only tell what my life consists of each time I write. Labeling parts of life doesn’t help you to learn anything new. Being open to everything may give you some new ideas for your own life. I wish you well and freedom from limits in your life.
I agree, i like learning about new things from a reputable person. But besides, I like to see what shes wearing while she does it!!! 🙂
It was an enjoyable read about a personal experience shared.
I wonder if you did not bother to read it …. how do you know it was “one big ad”. Which for me begs the question: so what? I genuinely found this to be a good read and informative. Apart from that …… I spent a tiny bit of holiday due to the page … a win for me.
I did read it, and it just didn’t sound like AI’s authentic voice at all. The post reads like a press release from a marketing director trying to sound like a “real” blogger. Quite disappointed, since AI’s voice is the main thing that has kept me reading her blog for so long.
I LOVE your hair pulled back with your bangs. Recommend you get it cut that way.
You look fantastic, all pulled together and totally enjoying life. I’m jealous. Good for you!
I love cruising with my husband and this one sounds FABULOUS!
I LOVE your hair pulled back with your bangs. Recommend you get it cut that way.
You look fantastic, so relaxed and all pulled together. I’m jealous. Good for you!
Looks amazing! I suffer from motion sickness so wondered there was much motion on the river cruise?
Thanks!
Well this is the first time my interest has been pique by a cruise! Thank you for sharing.
I took this cruse in September…it was awesome. River cruises are the way to go.
The trip sounds amazing, wish I could afford it! The pictures are great.
Thanks for this info. I have been looking at Scenic offerings and have been reluctant to take a cruise.
Would you share who makes your purple dress.
I have trouble finding long sleeves that are still fun and cute.
amazing…looks wonderful
What an enchanting adventure – thank you for sharing it! And I am so thrilled for all you experienced!
I have never been on a river cruise however I would love it.
Off subject
I just saw a go- daddy commercial and I swear i saw just a glimpse of you in it.
Sounds you and Calvin had a marvelous trip, thanks for sharing. Europe has a lot to offer and Amsterdam is a magic place and experience
LOVELY! Small ship cruising is the only cruising for me. I cannot fathom why anyone would want the 3000+ passenger multilevel topheavy ship cruises which to me seem more like a floating metropolis with all its inherent health issues, harried occupants (staff and passengers alike), relentless schedule of irrelevant “entertainments” but little or no amplifying information about the area being cruised. Last year a co-worker went on one of the heavily advertised Caribbean cruise ships and she could only talk about the nightclub acts and the out-of-control kids using the playground pieces (oh, yes and the nonstop gambling activities); she had no clue about any of the few island stops made during that cruise which were so short they left no time for exploring, only frantic shopping for trashy souvenirs. All of that she paid for the privilege of “enjoying”! No, not for me – this year my spring plans are for a domestic river cruise in the American south followed by one in the fall in the Pacific Northwest.
Thank you for the detailed advertisement about your cruise. Not what I was hoping to read after seeing you had a new post. But it is what it is…waiting for the next one!
Thank you for sharing your stories!
NO!But I have always wanted to do a EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISE!
MY SPEED.
I did sail down the RHINE when I was 17 years old!But that was for a day!It was BEAUTIFUL and I can still picture the adventure in my mind!I am HAPPY for YOU and CALVIN that YOU escaped New York and were able to RELAX!It’s important for us all to STOP doing the every day tasks and just soak it up!
I LOVE EUROPE as my husband is from ITALY and I was lucky enough to live there for three years many years ago!How exciting to see your GRANDPARENTS CAFE and HOTEL!!!!!!!!!
I look forward to that POST!
Antiquegoddess from Instagram
Yes whilst i agree with the earlier comments about iit being an ad it was interesting. However what a shame you have changed your blog to do this. Maybe a separate blog would be better. I have really enjoyed and admired your thoughts and life style but dont ruin it with freebies.
I would suggest that this is her blog and, despite current politics, she is allowed to write whatever she feels like writing. She immediately disclosed that it was a freebie. However, I doubt that one word was dishonest or misleading. If I took such a trip, I would hope I could describe it as vividly to my friends. Why not try to live and let live?
Writing and maintaining a blog takes time and creativity. It has been challenging to maintain it while I have been trying to generate income since my retirement from academia. The opportunity to take a trip like this gave me endless opportunities for content and inspiration that will serve me well beyond the one post I was asked to write. It allowed me to reconnect with my history as I had never the opportunity to visit Amsterdam before and was able to visit my great-grandparents hotel and cafe and see the incredible vision and creativity they had. For the record, everything I wrote in this post was authentic because I was quite surprised I actually liked a cruise. Never, ever thought I would. I am writing this to everyone not just specifically you.
So do you believe I should not be paid or compensated in any way ever to write? That I should never be paid for my labor? That I should not pay my photographer? If I chose what I promote in ways that don’t compromise my ethics or values? If it’s how I make my living now? These are the questions that are being raised here.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It was Wonderfully written and so fulfilling for someone who can only day dreams about travel. I feel I was on this trip as well.
Great work! Couldn’t’ have been better.
I knew I identified with your blog, but now I’ve found another reason… my ancestors were also Dutch, and my husband and I have done a lot of genealogy research. I visited Amsterdam, Utrecht and Liden briefly years ago and saw the town my people came from. I would love to go again someday! Loved your story!
I knew I identified with your blog, but now I’ve found another reason… my ancestors were also Dutch, and my husband and I have done a lot of genealogy research. I visited Amsterdam, Utrecht and Liden briefly years ago and saw the town my people came from. I would love to go again someday! Loved your story!
I just saw you on an over night news rerun. You are my hero. I’m working on a book for 100thyearproject.com. I think subtitle is “Launching into long, happy life and not going splat.” I’ve been launching this past year after separating from a 35 year relationship. I’d love to interview you when you have a convenient time slot. [email protected]. Terri White. Thanks for the inspiration!
I have never had any desire to take an ocean cruise, but this river cruise sounds lovely and the level of pampering unbelievable.
Hi! I really enjoy your writing and your content, I just wish you used punctuation!! Lol..Is the punctuation removed when you upload maybe?? I’m not sure if you don’t use it or it isn’t translated?? Either way, I wanted to let you know. You said you were concentrating on your writing and I had to tell you that punctuation is necessary in ANY writing!! Lol…Thank you for your content, I really enjoy hearing about your adventures!! God bless you
Love that sweater from the first photo!
Seriously! since when i was waiting for your blog. Its always a pleasure to be on your site, and would like to appreciate you about your courage. people around always might be having shit on their month. Frankly speaking it require lots of courage to be on your place and make it happen. I am thanks full to God just a human being he made you!
Sounds like a great trip! You always look really cool!
I, too, have mixed feelings about your comp’d vacation, but your thoughtful and detailed descriptions did clear up a lot of questions I had about these river cruises. I know that the different cruise companies have varying levels of activities and amenities and it sounds like you got a good one! I think we’ll try it!
Nice to know you and Calvin enjoyed your relaxing trip through Europe!
Interested your fashion sense
Sounds like a wonderful time. Thanks for the detailed info. Is there a reason you don’t smile when you have your picture taken? I’m sure with all the wonderful times on the ship you must have been smiling a lot.
It sounds like you had such a wonderful time. Thank you for sharing!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your commentary about the scenic trip. I have visited some of the places and would love to re-visit these sites in my own time.
I love every one of the blog posts and look forward very much to new ones. That having been said I completely understand why there are so seldom any new posts because blogs seem to bring out the haters and trolls. These haters and trolls are motivated not by anything to contribute but by their deep unhappiness (deservedly?) with their own lives. Unfortunately on the internet these days there are few ways to keep onesself safe from the kinds of people who visit blogs for the sole purpose of creating discord. I look forward to the next post in hopes that it arrives soon but would fully understand if there were no more. The hater/troll thing is why I don’t do a blog of my own (which as a published writer I have been encouraged to do) and the very real risk that someday a hating troll will take it further than mere angry verbosity. For all of the wonderful things the internet offers, the internet dangers far outstrip the good parts.
You are a exquisite women… how can you dress all covered up with menopause?
I am melting all the time, i would like to dress like you.
I traveled with my family growing up. I remember the Lucerne Lake tour we took in Switzerland when I was 16 one summer. I also remember after my father passed away, a tour in Ft. Lauderdale at Christmas time as a young adult, and a tour along the intercoastal where they pointed out wealthy homeowner waterside properties.
More recently I remember taking a tour in Galveston with my sister. I appreciate that she came to visit and that my mother had also come as well so we could take a tour of the Strand, especially since, sadly, she passed last year.
In 2010 my cousin took my youngest two children and I on a tour along a river in Finland near my mother’s birthplace and he explained that my grandfather used to transport goods for sale from the dairy farm along the river, so it was quite meaningful.
Amazing Style!!!!
Thank you!
I have admired your savvy sense of style. Age is not an issue. i am 78 and tell those who need to know the year i was born i never remember the number. let them do the math. Glad I found you.
I am an ex manhattanite and retired school teacher . Not sure i want to hear about cruises
that is all i hear at cocktail hour in naples fl. I miss the edgy nyc, london and paris. Soon we will forget 2002 and start anew.